"It's not harder for companies to make a profit, it's harder for companies to make the mega profits they've made over the last two or three years and they've become addicted to these massive profits," he said.

"There is still significant profits to be made in the coal industry with competent and intelligent management, some of that which is not displayed in Queensland."

Mr Pierce says union members have reasonable expectations.

"These people are taxpayers, they've got children, they've got families to support - they are hit with the higher cost of living, living in the mining community," he said.

"It would be ludicrous to say that they should have a wage freeze when all of the products and services they are purchasing and have to pay for are continually going up."